Iconic Malibu Eateries Destroyed in L.A. Wildfires
As fires continued to spread throughout the Los Angeles area Wednesday morning, many L.A. residents took to social media to mourn the loss of popular Malibu eateries.
Reel Inn, a popular seafood shack located at the bottom of Topanga Canyon Boulevard at the Pacific Coast Highway, has reportedly been destroyed by flames. The restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1986, posted to Instagram on Tuesday night, assuring the public that their staff was all safe. “We are so grateful for the 36 years we’ve been a part of the community,” the post said. “Grateful to all of our customers. We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left. Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles.” (Topanga Beach State Park is across the street.)
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The fire began in Pacific Palisades, also hitting parts of Malibu and Santa Monica as it continued to spread overnight. The Palisades Fire was zero percent contained as of Wednesday morning, per the L.A. Fire Department. Three other active wildfires in L.A. County — the Eaton, Hurst and Woodley fires — are also at zero percent containment.
Cholada Thai, a popular seaside eatery adjacent to Reel Inn, has been destroyed, according to a post on Instagram from its sister restaurant in Long Beach. “We are heartbroken to announce that our first Cholada location on the Pacific Coast has been lost after serving since 1999 due to the Palisades wildfire,” the post read. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has tagged us and shown their support during this difficult time.”
Malibu’s Rosenthal Winery had its Pacific Coast Highway tasting room destroyed Tuesday amid the fire. “While we lost our tasting room to the fire yesterday, all of our staff is safe,” a post from the winery’s Instagram confirmed. The wine bar promised to keep visitors informed on their next moves.
Moonshadows has also reportedly been destroyed in the fire. The eatery — famous for a 2006 incident involving an inebriated Mel Gibson — posted on Instagram that the restaurant was “gone,” adding: “Thank you for all of the prayers and wishes. Stay safe and strong everyone.” THR has reached out for confirmation.
Further east, the Eaton fire continues to move through the Altadena and Pasadena area. Pizza shop Side Pie posted photos to their Instagram showing that their entire building was destroyed. Actress Mandy Moore, whose home burned down in the Eaton Fire, shared the photos to her Instagram story with the message: “We love you @sidepie_ and Altadena. My heart is so broken.”
As of Wednesday morning, over 37,000 people in the Los Angeles area remain under evacuation orders due to a slew of wildfires. Officials confirmed that two people have died as a result of fires. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday night, telling Southern California residents to “stay vigilant, take all necessary precautions and follow local emergency guidance.”
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